Uzbekistan Qualifies for 2026 World Cup
Photo: Instagram.com/uzbekistanfa
Uzbekistan’s national football team has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — making history as the first nation from Central Asia to do so since gaining independence, Orda.kz reports.
A 0–0 draw against the UAE on June 5 in Abu Dhabi secured Uzbekistan second place in Group A of the Asian qualifiers, guaranteeing direct entry with 18 points. Iran tops the group with 20 points; both teams have qualified.
Led by Timur Kapadze, who took over shortly before the final two matches, Uzbekistan had a strong campaign, losing just once in 12 qualifiers.
This is Uzbekistan’s first World Cup appearance after eight previous unsuccessful qualification attempts since gaining independence in 1991. The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams.
Uzbekistan is the eighth Asian nation to qualify, joining hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico, as well as Japan, Argentina, New Zealand, and Iran.
Several Uzbekistan players currently play in Europe — including Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Eldor Shomurodov (AS Roma), and Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow).
Original Author: Ruslan Loginov
Latest news
- Kazakhstan Cancels Exam Results For More Than 700 University Applicants
- Astana LRT Operator Looks For Funding In China
- Smoke From Russian Wildfires Reaches Eastern Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Offers EU A Broader Partnership In Eurasia
- Oil Leak Reported In Caspian Sea Near Azerbaijan Coast
- Kazakhstan To Build 250 Roadside Service Stations For 180 Billion Tenge
- Police Chase With Kazakh Driver In Phuket Ends In Crash And Injuries
- Foreigners Moving To Kazakhstan Are Choosing Big Cities Over Most Regions
- Turkestan Region Leads Kazakhstan In Twin Births
- From Grain To AI: What Kazakhstan Brought To Afghanistan
- Helicopters Drop 39 Tons Of Water On Forest Fire In East Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Tightens Border Checks Despite Saying There Is No Fuel Shortage
- Kazakhstan Seeks Greek Investment In Energy And Transport
- Global Rating Agency Confirms Kazakhstan’s Investment-Grade Status
- Kazakh Company Sent $16 Million To China, Got No Goods And A Huge Fine
- Kazakh Parties Are Losing Focus With Overly Broad Programs, Expert Says
- Almaty Man Registered 990 People In One-Room Apartment And Received Sentence
- Montenegro President Makes First Official Visit To Kazakhstan
- Gas Prices In Kazakhstan To Rise From July 1
- Kazakhstan’s Oldest Gold Mining Company Resold For 8.7 Billion Tenge
